ABOUT US

Aguobu Iwollo Autonomous Community comprises the villages of Ezeonyia, Ndibunagu, Amagu, Obinagu, and Owolloti. These villages were established by migrant farmers, known as “Iga bu n’ofia,” who left their homes in the Iwollo Omashi Ancient Kingdom to settle between the Okpogho and Olo communities. These farmers migrated primarily for subsistence farming, to secure their livelihoods, and to help protect the borders of Iwollo.

These families established approximately 24 farm settlements, where they cultivated a variety of crops during the rainy season. These crops include cassava, yam, cocoyam, potatoes, carrots, plantain, bananas, cocoa, coconuts, palm trees, maize, and legumes like groundnuts and Bambara seeds. Additionally, they grew a range of vegetables and fruits, such as garden eggs, waterleaf, peppers, black beans, pawpaw, udara (African star apple), mango, sugarcane, and both local and English pears. Livestock rearing, particularly goats and local poultry birds using a free-range system within their farm settlements, was also an essential part of their agricultural practices. They leveraged bush fallow areas mapped out for the next farming round or planting season, ensuring sustainability.

The migrant farmers in Aguobu Iwollo practiced intercropping within their farm settlements, but their farming activities were limited to the rainy seasons. Unfortunately, rural-urban migration and climate change have increasingly posed challenges, adversely affecting both food production and consumption in the region.

Farming and livestock rearing are core aspects of the cultural heritage of these villages. The community is also blessed with two natural water sources from the rocks, seasonal water bodies, and other natural resources, including coal and vast arable land rich in green vegetation, wildlife (such as tropical monkeys, antelopes “mgbadaa”, wild pigs, squirrels, grass-cutters, crocodiles “Agu-inyi”, freshwater fish, etc.), and forestry.

Despite these advantages, the farmers face significant challenges beyond just the seasonality of their crops. These include post-harvest losses, poor food management, and food waste, all of which hinder their agricultural productivity.

In addition to farming, the villagers engage in various rural-to-rural and rural-to-urban economic activities. These activities include food trading and distribution, hunting, goldsmithing, bamboo/timber trading, and more.

However, the challenges of seasonality, post-harvest losses, and ineffective food management continue to impact the livelihoods of the farmers in Aguobu Iwollo and the broader Ezeagu Local Government Area. To address these issues and ensure sustainable food production, the Aguobu Iwollo Farmers Community Association (FCA) and the Ezedike (Ezeagu) Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society have been established. These organizations aim to collectively enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainable farming practices by collaborating with various stakeholders in the agricultural value chain, including businesses, the government and financial institutions. Through this collaboration, the Aguobu Iwollo Farmers Community Association and the cooperative society seek to make food more available and affordable to meet the needs of a growing population.